Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-09-21
4 WOMAN'S BRAVERY.
BY JAMES J. WATT.

When the ship Sunderland left New
York, bound for Montevideo, she had
in part a "shanghied" crew;that is, men
who had been made drunk and brought
or board, without their knowledge
and consent, just before sailing. Sea.
men were scarce in New York at that
time, so the shipping agent had re-
sorted to that method to furnish the
vessel her complement of men.
While she was being towed through
the Narrows the officers went forward
and reused up the drunken, half-sUu-
pefed men in the forecastle. The lat
ter were q viliainous looking set Of
men, and, to the surprise of the
mates, only few were found TO be
seamen, the rest being toughs or
'longehoremen. They lurched about
the deck quarreling and threat
enipg violence il the ship was not put
back.
Capt. White had been deceived
by the shipping agent, and, going for
ward, ascertained that none of the
crew had families or any responsible
would have to make the best of the
situation, as he must proceed on his
voyage. 1t was the result of their
own folly that they were on board.
At this they refused point blank to
work the ship. However, none of
them dared to look into the muzzle of
the captains revolver, so the boat
swain and second mate, with many
kicks and blows, at last forced them
to make sail. three or four sailors going
aloft to loose the canvas, while the
new hands on deck did the hauling.
The first day at sea is always try
ing one for both officers and men. A
ship just leaving port is in about the
condition OF a newly rented house on
the first day. The mates do not
know what to expect OF the crew, nor
do the men know whether the officers
intend to treat them with respect or
to bully them. Consequently each
class watches the other with distrust.
OF course, with Sunderland's crew
the day was a continuous wrangle. A
part OF the men, not being practical
sailors, were almost useless.
Towards night the wind increased
to q gale and the frightened landsmen
were driven into the rigging to reef the
topsails. They mad to be followed
aloft and shown what to do with the
reef points Z he position of a man
upon q topsail- yard, trying to reef q
heavy sail whipping in the wind, is
not secure, even if be is an old sailor.
The 'iongshoremen found they want
ed both hands TO hang On with. The
mates managed to make them gather
in the sail during s. steady spell, but
when the ship gave lee lurch, and
the yard canted up at d right angle,
their feet slipped along the foot rope,
and letting 60 the sail, they all
grabbed for the iackstay.
After q great deal OF exertion, the
officers reefed the fore and main
topsails, with but little help from the
seaslck men The mizzen topsail
blew away before it could be secured.
The ship was heavily loaded, and
labored badly in the brisk sea which
soon followed the coming of the
gale the captain preferred to drive
her with single reefed topsail, for he
knew that if he started his billiards
the sails would slat TO pieces before
his clumsy crew could smother them.
Each heavy gust pressed the lee rail
down into the water, and the spray flew
over the bows in acontinuous shower.
The discomfort among the men grew
more violent as darkness increased,
and they began to feel the agonies of
seasickness, augmented by wet clothes
and the raw autumnal wind.
They quickly made Up their minds
to mutiny, and, while crouched in the
lee Of the deck house to escape the
spray, arranged for concerted action
at the first opportunity.
Before long q voice was heard call
ing: STAND by the weather main
bcacesI"
They went aft to the braces and
when the second mate noticed all
hands were there, he advanced to know
why the watch below were on deck.
For answer he was knocked down by
q blow from O capstan bar and quick
" bound hand and foot with ropes
ends.
Then they rushed upon the captain,
VINO shot the foremost through the
shoulder, but the revolver was
knocked away and his throat
clutched by the fingers OF q
burly stevedore, whose other hand
was raised to stab him.
At this crisis there was heard
shrek SO loud and unexpected that
the ruffians remained motionless for
an instant. A white form, with long
blonde hair streaming in the wind,
bounded through the cabin door,
aud, rushing upon the captains as
saiiant, caught the knife before it
could descend.
Terror-stricken the superstitious
men fell back. Before the surprise
was over the other officers ran up
from below, and the mutineers were
soon cowed and driven off the quar-
ter-deck.
The woman was the captains wife.
The men did not know she ives on
board; SO her sudden appearances and
brave defense OF her husband had